VENDING BLUNDER

A vending machine at Auckland airport has caused quite the controversy with its poorly translated phrase. The Coca-Cola Amatil vending machine has the phrase ‘Kia Ora, Mate’ written across the top. While it is a common phrase spoken among New Zealander’s when translated to Maori it actually means death.

Gareth Seymour said that ‘Kia ora e hoa’ would be more appropriate as it translates to ‘hello friend’.

Coca-Cola said in a press release that the slogan was intended to bring both Maori and English together. “In no way was the ‘mate’ in reference to any Maori word, that would have been inappropriate and unacceptable. Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand is proudly Kiwi and respects and embraces all aspects of Maori culture and any other culture,” explained Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand in a statement.